Alabama mayor vetoes pay raises for himself, City Council

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama city’s mayor has vetoed raises for himself and members of the city council.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle nixed the increases Friday.

News outlets report Battle said, in a news release, that he had a “philosophical difference” with council members on how they should be compensated, saying they should strive to be involved in their communities as citizens and not as employees of the city. Battle also has previously said he is satisfied with his current salary.

According to the mayor’s office, Battle’s salary would have increased from $136,000 to $176,000, the council president’s salary would increase from $39,000 to $49,000 and the city council members’ salaries would rise from $33,000 to $44,000 each.

The raises, approved on a 4-1 vote Thursday, would have taken effect Nov. 2, 2020.